Innovative dental technology is here. It’s time to take a closer look.

Dentist offices look different today than they did years ago. Now, modern offices are embracing new and innovative dental technology that improves dental techniques and makes the patient experience more comfortable.

While there are many different solutions at different stages of development, there are some specific ones that are emerging as the most prominent and promising. Today, we’re taking a closer look at 7 types of dental technology that are changing the game.

1. CEREC

The acronym CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. That’s a fancy term used to describe a revolutionary process.

With CEREC, dentists can create dental restorations in their offices, without having to send impressions of your teeth to an external laboratory. Dental restorations are used to repair your tooth after severe decay or injury. Some of the most common restorations your dentist may use CEREC for include:

• Crowns.
• Implants.
• Fixed bridges.
• Veneers.
• Inlays and onlays.
• Dentures.

The technology behind CEREC is called CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing). Dentists use CAD/CAM and 3D technology to design and create customized restorations to precisely fit their patients’ mouths. They don’t need to make an impression using putty, and they can design, mill, and implement restorations in a single visit.

This means patients spend less time in the chair and their treatments are more cost-effective, and they receive a more convenient experience all round. CEREC restorations are durable, lifelike, and built to last.

2. Waterlase

Some dental patients experience anxiety about their visit due to the dental tools that vibrate, exert pressure, or make loud noise. Waterlase is a unique tool that doesn’t have any of those triggering sensations.

This tool harnesses the power of laser energy and the gentleness of water to deliver a soft, yet exact, spray of water. Dentists use Waterlase to perform a variety of hard-tissue and soft-tissue procedures, including:

• Decay removal.
• Cavity preparation.
• Gum recontouring.

Due to its mild nature, Waterlase provides a more comfortable experience, and patients often require less anesthesia when it’s employed.

3. Dental Lasers

They might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, but dental lasers are real and they’re here to stay. Dentists can use lasers to perform a variety of functions with minimal discomfort. In many applications, dental lasers can take the place of traditional dental drills. Soft-tissue and hard-tissue lasers are commonly used for procedures that require exact precision, such as:

• Removing inflamed gum tissue.
• Gum recontouring.
• In-office tooth whitening.
• Tooth enamel preparation.
• Repairing worn-down fillings.

In addition to providing greater comfort, lasers can also lessen bleeding, reduce the chance of infection, and cause less damage to surrounding tissues. They can even shorten your recovery time!

You can learn more about our approach to Dallas laser dentistry here.

4. Biolase

Biolase is a type of dental laser designed specifically for gum treatments. Your dentist can use it to perform a variety of procedures related to gum disease, cavities, and biopsies. It’s also useful in intricate cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as a gum lift.

Gum tissues can be sensitive, and this is one simple, yet effective, way to lessen discomfort during these services. With Biolase, patients can expect to experience little to no post-treatment discomfort.

5. Velscope

Did you know that an estimated 54,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancer every year? This can be a deadly and devastating disease, but it is also preventable. Early detection can raise your survival rate by up to 80%, and prevention is key.

Cancer screenings can help your dentists identify any early signs of oral cancer, so they can take immediate action to keep your teeth, gums, and entire body healthy. Thankfully, screening technologies have become smarter, more advanced, and more accurate over the years. The FDA-approved VELscope oral cancer screening system is a prime example.

This system uses a safe blue light to detect tissue abnormalities within your mouth as early as possible. . The entire process takes just five minutes and could save your life, making this one of the most promising applications of modern dental technology to date.

6. Sedation Dentistry

According to research, more than 35% of the U.S. population suffers from dental anxiety or dental fear. Sedation dentistry can help ease those worries and make patients with anxiety feel more comfortable. Dentists also use sedation dentistry when performing lengthy or complicated procedures.

There are a number of options for sedation dentistry that patients can choose from. While some will make patients drowsy enough to sleep during the procedure, this is not always the case. Dr. Alhadef offers a range of options to suit each individual patient, and most options will just cause drowsiness and a relaxed feeling so you don’t feel tense and anxious during your appointment.

Some dentists, including Dr. Alhadef, also offer IV sedation. Administered by a team of highly trained anesthesiologists, this medication is delivered intravenously (through your veins). It offers a quicker, more immediate sedation experience than traditional methods.

Afraid of needles? You don’t have to worry. The IV sedation needle is small and discreet, and most patients report feeling nothing more than a pinprick.

7. Intraoral Cameras

Dentists need to see clearly inside of patients’ mouths when planning treatments and performing dental procedures. Advanced technologies like intraoral cameras make this process much easier and more accurate.

When dentists use these cameras, the inside of your mouth is clearly displayed on a monitor or iPad. This way, your dentist can walk you through every step of your procedure and collaborate with you to reach your dental goals. It also helps you to see how your teeth are positioned, to better understand why your dentist may be recommending a treatment.

Experience the dental technology at our Dallas, TX, office.

At our office, we love to offer the best dental experience possible to all of our patients. This means employing state-of-the-art dental technology that makes your treatments easier, quicker, and more comfortable.

These 7 solutions are just the tip of the iceberg. Dental technology is a field that’s rapidly changing and growing, and there are new innovations being created, studied, and released on a regular basis. We’d love to talk to you more about the different types of technology that Dr. Alhadef uses in his practice. Contact us to make an appointment today!